Our Work & Reports

A resident of a private housing estate noticed some water seepage persisted on a nearby pavement, which was on his regular route, and suspected that the seepage source was from the adjacent government facilities. Worrying that it might be foul water, which would affect the environmental hygiene, he reported it via 1823.

1823 referred the case to the Water Supplies Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and then the Buildings Department. Noting that the seepage problem remained unresolved, and the case had been passing from one department to another for follow-up action, he felt dissatisfied and considered that the departments were shifting responsibility to one another. He then sought assistance from our Office.

Our inquiry revealed that all the departments concerned had followed up the complaint in accordance with their responsibilities and taken different methods to identify the source of seepage, including checking whether it was water pipe leakage, environmental hygiene nuisance or sewage pipe leakage, but in vain. Besides, there was no evidence to suggest that the seepage was from the adjacent government facilities.

For prompt resolution of the problem, our Office engaged the Architectural Services Department responsible for government repairs and maintenance, in a joint site visit with the aforementioned departments, and urged proactive follow-up action, including their assistance to the private housing estate in checking the facilities near the seepage.  Eventually, the seepage stopped around a month after our intervention, and the complainant was given a detailed reply.

Combined efforts of different departments unlock the power of synergy, enabling effective and efficient handling of the public’s concern.